barbu369

My daughter and I are going to London on June 2 for 8 days...first time for both of us. I have been looking at the travel books and was thrilled to have found this site..I have gotten so many great tips.
Has anyone taken any of the Beatles walks through London Walks...and which one is the best?
Also has anyone seen Hamlet at the Old Vic..it looks like it has gotten good reviews but maybe there are better shows to see? What I'm wondering is, if this is our first time in London should we be looking at going to the Globe instead?
If we go to Portobello Market on Saturday morning..what would be suggested for the afternoon? I read about Vinopolis in one of the guidebooks and thought about that for Sat evening followed by Tate Modern since it looks like they are open until 10:00 P.M.
Is Vinopolis worthwhile?
I also was trying to figure out what is open Sunday night...maybe we should just have a nice dinner since we already have tickets to
Edinburgh for a day trip on Monday (early!)
Any other suggestions?
I should add that my daughter is just out of college (we both are nurses) and we both do not mind alot of walking. I was wondering
about the Old Operating Theatre (considering our profession)..should we spend the time?

Last question...although I could go on and on. What is the usual dress for the beginning of June? She was planning on bringing several pairs of capris (dressy ones) and sandals. I was thinking it would be a little cooler and we'd need sweaters and long pants. We're from the Chicago area so are used to any type of weather..we just want to pack right.
I appreciate any help. We both are so
excited. London seems like it will be
fantastic!

nytraveler

In June London is usually in the low 70's during the day - but you could get 80's or 60's and you will probably get some rain - so I would bring at lest one pair of good walking shoes to balance off sandals. Keep in mind that in a lot of places the sidewlaks will not be cement - but may be cobblestones and pretty uneven - any shoe with a heel will be a menace to your ankles.

obxgirl

My opinion...don't do Edinburgh as a day trip if you can help it. It's a wonderful city with much to offer and deserves (as an absolute minimum) an overnight stay. If you can't carve that extra time out of your itinerary, consider putting Edinburgh off till next trip and doing something in closer proximity to London (Oxford, Bath, Salisbury, Cambridge among many others).

The theatre offerings in London are extensive and run the the gamut from very traditional to bizarre. Unless there is a show you have your heart set on, consider waiting until you get there to see what's playing. Pick up a copy of Time Out as soon as you get to town to see the offerings. I don't think your first trip to London demands seeing a play at the Globe but it's well worth a tour if you're a fan of the Bard.

Chicago weather is about on par with London. I tend to steer away from sandals (urban dirt and rain) except for a dressier pair for evenings in summer.

David

barbu369: In response to that portion of your post regarding the Beatles Walk through London Walks, my wife and I did this walk last year and loved it. Of course, we were pre-teens when the Beatles first made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show so we kind of grew up with them and their music. It was really neat to see their haunts, recording studios, etc. On the same trip we also did the "Old Hampstead Heath," "Jack the Ripper," and the "Mayfair" walk. Of these, we least preferred the "Jack the Ripper" walk, probably because of the extreme crowds and because not much of London's East End survived World War II's bombings. Nonetheless, it was entertaining and informative. The "Mayfair" trip was really interesting. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the London Walks. As for your other questions, I'll leave a response to others more informed. Have a great time!

PatrickLondon

I've not been inside Vinopolis (not really my thing), but the area as a whole is worth a wander. It's very close to Borough Market, which on Saturdays is a farmer's/speciality foods market; lots of people go just to taste or gawp at what's on offer, as well as to Tate Modern (special exhibition on Edward Hopper this summer) and the Globe, which has a standing Shakespeare exhibition as well as performances of Romeo and Juliet, Measure for Measure and Much Ado this summer. Can't advise as to whether this would be better than Hamlet, but the Globe experience would be very different from an indoor Victorian theatre.

Another idea might be to rest your feet by taking a boat from Bankside pier outside Tate Modern. There's a dedicated boat service to Tate Britain (though they don't have a late opening there, as far as I know - special exhibition this summer is on the Art of the Garden), as well as cruises to Westminster or the Tower or Greenwich.

www.tfl.gov.uk/river
www.tate.org.uk
www.vinopolis.co.uk
www.boroughmarket.org.uk
www.shakespeares-globe.org

jody

Patrick gives very good advice about the Southwark area. While I haven't taken the Vinopolis wine tour, I have had lunch there and it was very good with a nice selection of wines by the glass also there is a very good shop if you are into wine and various serving accoutrements!

Anonymous

Yes, the Old Operating Theatre is worth adding to your itinerary. Absolutely fascinating, though some of the medical equpment and accounts are absolutely horriffic.

Sylvia

I'm not a nurse but found the old operating theatre fascinating. There's a selection of surgical instruments there too. It makes one glad that we are living in the 21st century.

carolyn

My daughter is a nurse and really enjoyed her visit to the Florence Nightingale Museum. It is located near the entrance to St. Thomas Hospital on Lambeth Palace Road. She said there were only a few people there and the curator spent a good deal of time chatting with her.

Kayb95

<<I read about Vinopolis in one of the guidebooks and thought about that for Sat evening followed by Tate Modern since it looks like they are open until 10:00 P.M. Is Vinopolis worthwhile?>>

If you are into wine tasting, you would probably enjoy it. You walk though exhibits explaining the history of wine from different regions of the world and stop at sampling tables throughout the tour. But I think they are only open late one night a week so check their website for hours.

<<I also was trying to figure out what is open Sunday night...maybe we should just have a nice dinner...>>

We've found that on nights we don't have anything to do, it's a good time to look at the Original London Walks schedule. If your feet are up to it, you really can't go wrong with any of them. Or attend an evensong service at Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral - lovely sung service with men and boys choir. Usually around 5:30 - check websites for times.

<<since we already have tickets to Edinburgh for a day trip on Monday (early!)>>

Don't miss the castle - it's fab!!

<<I was wondering about the Old Operating Theatre (considering our profession)..should we spend the time?<<

Given your professions, I would think you'd really enjoy it!

<<Any other suggestions?>>

IMHO, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, a walk by Big Ben/Parliament and Buckingham Palace are must-sees. And a walk across Westminster Bridge after dark is magical.

<<What is the usual dress for the beginning of June?>>

The weather is probably comparable to the weather in May in Chicago (I'm from Detroit area.) We go to London every June and bring lightweight slacks, capris, lightweight tops and a jacket that can be used in the evenings or if it rains. The most important thing you need to take are very comfortable walking shoes. You will do a LOT of walking.

<<We both are so excited. London seems like it will be fantastic!>>

London is a fabulous city. You will start planning your next trip on the plane home. Have a great trip!!!

(If you need web links for any of the things mentioned, e-mail me at [email protected]. I've got a ton of London links)

LMS76

I would second the reply that it would be best not to try to squeeze Edinburgh into a day trip. We just got back from London and Scotland, and I personally preferred Edinburgh over London. It takes about 4.5 hours by train to get to Edinburgh, so you won't have much time to see Edinburgh. If you take the overnight sleeper train and have a full 10 hours or so in Edinburgh, you will probably get through the Edinburgh Castle and can walk the Royal Mile. It is also worth a visit to the Palace of Holyrood.

bertaron

We went to London in July of 2002. I wore crop pants and you could tell I was an American. The weather is unpredictable. It did rain while we were there so the light jacket and travel umbrella was useful. We live in Chicago as well. We took three tours thru London Walks - Jack the Ripper, Stonehenge and Bath. A week is not enough time to see everything in London and venture to other towns.

sighthound

I am also an RN & really enjoyed the Florence Nightengale Museum. It is small, well done & the docents really enjoy what they are doing. That Florence was some lady! I was there in Jan. & it was snowing.

Dave_

I think Vinopolis is quite a worthwhile exerience, but I say that as a Londoner so it's easy for me to go. For first timers to London, it would probably be something you could easily drop from your itinerary if you found yourself pushed for time to see all your other things.

Kayb has summed up pretty much what happens once you are inside. I looked at the website and I would say that £12.50 seems quite a lot for what it is so I'd try and get some discounted tickets if you can.

Lee4

I was in London last June when it was hot and didn't rain once the whole trip. I wore capri's with short sleeve shirts and/or twin sets with 3/4 length sleeves. I also wore sandals or mule-type shoes with straps on the back for walking (no socks) and was comfortable the entire trip. I seem to remember a wide range of dress while there, and lots of London women were wearing skirts. Of course, some people were also wearing coats and it was SO hot (upper 80's and 90's)! I think the clothing you're bringing sounds fine.

I highly recommend going to the different parks and walking through them. Regents Park is my favorite and the rose garden is fabulous. The smells were heavenly. London really does parks well, so take time to walk through them and just take in all the beauty. We also had a few picnics in parks, which are some of my favorite memories.

Another suggestion--take the boat ride from Westminister Pier to Greenwich, if the weather is nice. This is a great way to see some interesting sights along the Thames and it's so nice to take the leisurly boat ride. Greenwich is charming and an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.

One more suggestion--if you're looking for a day trip, consider going to Windsor. It's only 30 minutes away, by train, and the castle is so interesting, as is the town itself. It's a great place to get out of the city for a bit. London really is wonderful and I hope you both have a terrific time!

BigRuss

Must sees: Imperial War Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.

Idea for a night: talk a Ripper Walk and have dinner in the area -- there are tons of good Indian restaurants in Whitechapel.

Elizabeth

Sunday night suggestions:

Bombay Dreams, if it is still on, has performances on Sunday night.

I like London Walks idea.

Check Time Out for interesting movie possiblities. Look at section on fetivals & revivals, and at TIme Out's tips. Look at schedule at National Film Theatre. If you go there, know they also have a cafe, so you could eat there as well.

Hamlet: I've heard it's very good if you are a Hamlet fan.

I recommend The Big Life, if still playing, which is a musical with ska music, about Jamaican immigrants in the 50s. Very funny and charming. It was sold out, I went an hour early & got very nice tickets.

Friends of mine didn't like Romeo and Juliet at the Globe. I think a tour is best way to see Globe, unless you really want an authentic Shakespeare-era theatre experience. The Hamlet will be a better Shakespeare experience I think.

Portobello Road: I love the Grove Cafe there and also Sausage and Mash.

Afternoon - if you're walkers - what about the Vivienne Westwood show at the V & A? Check if it's still on. If you like far-out fashion & fashion history -it is brilliant. Also V& A gift shop unquestionably best museum gift shop in London, maybe on planet.

Have fun!!

bardo

THe best help I can offer is to reconsider your "day trip" to Edinburgh. That 4-1/2 hour one-way train ride cannot get a lot longer if there are any delays on-route (which happens). Even if there are no delays, you are looking at an exhausting day to spend a mere few hours in a city that deserves at LEAST a few days on its own. Any of the closer day trips mentioned above by obxgirl would be a great alternative.